The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-16
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
is MORE IN FAVOR OF CIVIL
SERVICE THAN EVER,
And He Wants the South to Approve
Of BIS Administration and
Help Him.


could be done to improve the civil
service. This ConRre smsn is q mem.
Der OF the Civil Ssrvice Committee,
and is one OF the f,w Southern Demo
Gratis strongly committed to the reform
idea. Mr.. Cleveland said that hs was
more firmly convinced than ever that
the civil service osght to be divorced
from politics. Instead OF relaxing his
policy, he wanted to make his course
more msrke in this respect. That il,
he proposed to draw the line so clear-
ly between the political off ,es and
the civil service that i. would stay
drawn. He had been thinking, he
said, that a general increase of sala-
ries for the positions within the civil
service would be a W Sc step. This
would bring higher order OF ability
into these places. 1t would make the
competition stronger, and ex4mi-
nations more rigid. He believed that
movement in the direction Indicated
would tend to widen the separation
Of the civil sarvice from what he
csllsd "ths pohtica' [ fiji 3es."
The President asked what wou d be
done in tle House WITH the bill re-
pealirg the tenure of otiics act He
was told that it would pass and seemed
pleased. 81 am repeating 1t every day
wherever can" he sad, with smile.
Then lie went on 10 justify this posi-
ton with tltt on civil service. He be-
lieved, he said, that the Presidsnt
should be left free to make changes ia
the political Offices" and the greater
the freedom in tat direction The
stronger would be the recognition Of
the civil service law, wholly divoIcing
certain class OF Offices from polit cal
consider tons.
Conversation turned upon the rsla-
lions between the administration and
the South. Sid Mr.. Cleveland, in his
expression of his regret that these re-
lations were not more pleasant: "The
South almost elected me. l want my
administration to be approved by that
section, and yet Southern men have
made war upon me, or have, by their
silence, shown dissatisfaction. NY
idea has baen to make the admlnistra
tionIpnrely non-sectional."
Then the President spoke of the
criticisms which had be, n made to
the effect that the administration had
heen run by and in the interest of
Nsw York. He deprecated the exist.
ence of such an impression. He said
he wanted the Southern d moCrats to
feel that their suggestions and advice
were az important to him and won d
have as much weight as any that could
come from New York. They must
remem Der, however, that he was put
there to serve the whole country. He
had expected harmonious and hearty
support from the South, and had felt
much mortified that he did not re-
ceive it.
He spoke more personally. He did
not doubt that Southern Democrats
who had opposed his policy were en-
tirely honest in their convictions, but
thought these differences OF opinion
need not be emphas zed BY personal
Alienation or hostility. He alluded
directly to Senator Vance, OF North
Carolina, who had open y alta kei the
administration on civil service and the
financial policy. He ditn't think that
ought to disturb personal relations
Vance WIS undoubtedly honest. He
was the strongest man before the peo-
ple If his section. He knew aud Ie-
hett9d the sentiments OF his people,
and had represented their sentiments
ia his curse. But the President
thought that instead OF widening the
breach between lhe admnistra ion
and North Carolina Dem ocrats, Vance
could have done much better by try
ing TO hsrmonize. Once more the
President dec AIRED bis high esteem for
tie Senator, and expressed his will.
agness to listen, at any time, to the
suggestions or advice OF Vance or any
other Southern Democrat.
The President referred to Mr.. B ok
and char C .elized him as the clearset
headed Democrat IN the Senate He |
said he thought the time had come |
when the administration and sthase
leaders Of the party should be fairly
n line. Nov VS. the time for the
policy OF the administIst on 10 be
fully established, and it
should have the hearty support of the
party in the whole country.
The distribution of patronage was
eferred to. The President said he
rad endeavored in all cases 10 select
rom the persons recommended bv
Democrats those most flied. IL
mistakes have been made" he con-
inued, they have occurred because |
nave not been made acquainted fully
With ali the past surroundings and
labits Of those appointed. Senator's
lad Representatives and others max
ng recommendations Of applicants for
government positions should be care
al to indorae only those they know to
De qualified, possessed of business in-
egrity and adapted socially and NOR
lily Tor the places"
As for the foreign policy, the Presi.
lent thought h administration had
pursued course OF which the whole
country wouldspprove. All imagined
differences had been adjusted Tae
Jn!ted States had maintained her
Lightly and honor. The was no pros
,ect of any disturbance of peaceful re-
atoms with foreign powers.
Referring to the pending bill to
make an independent Depar ment of
agriculture and Labor, WITH the head
# it member OF the Cabinet, Mr..
cleveland said he didn't look upon the
with much favor jus now.
here wss to much that was expert
nentsl going on in regard to both
griculture and labor. When the
Ountry got little fu ther along with
hese problems it would bs time
nough 10 increase the dignity OF that
bureau. Still, il the bill passes, he
would not veto it.
There was one other notable thing
be President said in this hours talk
With the Southern member. Thst WAS
n regard to tariff legislation. Hs said
10 did not believe the Democratic
'srty was in favor OF repeal of the
Internal revenue Law. There was dis
Election with II, but the party ought
o see that disaffection was really lin.
ted to a few districts in Virginia,
North Carolina, Tennesses and elae.
where. He thooght it would be 3
'reat mist Ike IL attempt to cut down
he surplus by legislation chiefly in
b 81 .. l. |